Fundraiser receives £20 donation for parachute jump – from company who gave him parking ticket

A FUNDRAISER from Ferndown was delighted to receive a charity donation from a company who gave him a parking ticket.

Reg Finan, 79, is taking part in a 10,000-feet tandem parachute jump in aid of the Bournemouth Hospital Charity in July and is busily drumming up sponsors.

So when he received a £60 parking fine from De Vere Parking Services Ltd for using a disabled bay at Castlepoint, he asked if the firm would sponsor him.

Reg, pictured with his friend Jeanne Bush, 86, said he was thrilled to receive a £20 donation from the company He added: “I phoned the people up and accepted responsibility. Then I said ‘would you like to sponsor me?’ “The lady said to send the form in, but they couldn’t guarantee.

“Two days later they sent me £20, so I phoned up and said thank you.

“People are quick to criticise, but I think the company deserves a medal. One of my friends said it was an expensive way to get sponsorship.”

Reg, who himself suffers from diabetes, has already hit his £500 fundraising target, so is now aiming to raise £1,000 for the cause.

He decided to take part in the skydive after seeing a poster while accompanying a friend to a hospital appointment.